Specificity in working with Children, Victims and /or Crime Witnesses or Victims of Violence

Nowadays, more and more children become victims of violence. Some are direct ones, while others have been forced to watch scenes of aggression and psychological terror. Statistic data is stunning.

Specialized bodies and institutions consider up to 1800 cases annually, out of which the largest share are the so-called "domestic violence" cases. Children are subjects and witnesses of crime in social life, too. That happens on the street, at school, in institutions.

The need for a special approach and adequate response provoked the training on "Specificity in working with Children, Victims and /or Crime Witnesses or Victims of Violence" that was launched today, May 18, in CHRDRI.

Social workers from the "Child Protection" Directorates of the Social Assistance Agency, experts from State Agency for Child Protection, and NGOs working on this issue will discuss within three days the possibilities for more effective work on cases of violence against children and improvement of possible methods for their support.

There will be also discussed opportunities for improving coordination between institutions in working on these cases and will be upgraded skills for identification of types of violence and adequate intervention.

The topic of the training will be introduced in the form of discussion, in which the participants will be given an opportunity to share their experience and practice. During the second training day the focus will be placed on legislation supporting the victims of such cases and regulating cases of abuse against children. During the seminar will be defined various forms of violence, such as school bullying, child trafficking, sexual abuse, parental conflicts, and will be summarized the information given.

Particular attention during the last session will be paid to concrete measures and actions in cases of other crimes involving children that are not listed above, and to the collaboration with Ministry of Interior in working on them.

As a result of the seminar, the participants will develop skills to communicate with children victims of violence and reducing the traumatic effects on them. They will improve their skills for directing victims to social programs and services for support and assistance, and will gain skills in indicating, recognizing and intervening in situations of child abuse and in cases of children, witnesses of violence.

The training will be held by Ms. Katya Krastanova-Karaivanova, a psychologist with extensive experience and practice while working in "Animus Association" Foundation. She has lectured at over 200 training events not only in Bulgaria but also internationally.

The last session will be presented by Ms. Yablena Hristova, lecturer and psychologist from the Institute of Psychology to the Ministry of Interior and specialist with extensive experience and expertise on the issue.

Successful graduates of the seminar will receive certificates.